Emergency services are warning people to stay away from Auckland's northern beaches where homes are threatened as high tide peaks and ex-Cyclone Lusi causes havoc. <\/p>\n
Lusi hit Northland on Friday night, unleashing 91mm of rain near Whangarei over 27 hours and wind gusts of 139km\/h at Cape Reinga. <\/p>\n
A storm surge damaged a restaurant on Paihia's wharf and a seawall, several boats came ashore, Marsden Point was closed to all shipping and roofing iron lifted on a building in Mangawhai. <\/p>\n
On Saturday, Auckland became the target. <\/p>\n
Localised power outages, surface flooding and landslips occurred across New Zealand's largest city. Three boats broke from moorings and ferry services were disrupted. <\/p>\n
One ship heading to Ports of Auckland was diverted to shelter off the Coromandel Peninsula. <\/p>\n
Auckland Council Civil Defence controller Clive Manley says weather conditions will deteriorate and coastal erosion will be a problem from 4pm to 10pm on Saturday at Snells Beach, Waiwera, Orewa, Milford, Cheltenham and Whangateau. <\/p>\n
High tide is expected at 8pm. <\/p>\n
\"It's best to keep away from beaches,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Civil Defence is preparing to evacuate as many as 50 houses in Milford, Cheltenham, Orewa, Whangateau, and Wairewa, Radio New Zealand reports. <\/p>\n
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Lusi batters Auckland beaches<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Emergency services are warning people to stay away from Auckland's northern beaches where homes are threatened as high tide peaks and ex-Cyclone Lusi causes havoc. Lusi hit Northland on Friday night, unleashing 91mm of rain near Whangarei over 27 hours and wind gusts of 139km\/h at Cape Reinga. A storm surge damaged a restaurant on Paihia's wharf and a seawall, several boats came ashore, Marsden Point was closed to all shipping and roofing iron lifted on a building in Mangawhai. Continue reading